Addressing gun violence requires courage

I would like to ask our lawmakers to have courage when it comes to the gun debate. Courage is a difficult thing at times, especially in times of heated emotional debate. I hope that our legislators will have courage to reject both the NRA's call to do nothing and Gov. Martin O'Malley's call to infringe on law abiding gun owners' rights. I hope that they will have the courage to look at the all of the data and make a decision based on that. It takes courage to look at data that might prove your ideas wrong, and it takes a lot of courage to admit you were wrong.

What's more, I ask our lawmakers show courage beyond measure and address the root causes of violence. It takes a lot of courage to address issues like a failing mental health system, systemic and multi-generational poverty cycles, a war on drugs that has turned good people into criminals, the plague of gang violence, broken homes, children raising children, a culture that vilifies those who stand up for themselves and where smart people get beat up and bullies run free. These issues run deep, and the answers aren't easy, but things that require courage are never easy. Addressing these problems will reduce violence.

If legislators fail to show courage, we lose. We will have no defense against criminals who will continue to own guns. Just look at England. Show courage!

Greg Primrose, Towson

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